Initial Professional Journey and Academic History
Chase Laing began his professional journey grounded in a solid academic foundation and a practical orientation toward technical operations. His early education focused on mechanical and electrical systems, which later aligned closely with industrial maintenance and IT infrastructure demands. Although specific institutional details of his academic background are not widely publicized, Laing’s early career choices reflect a trajectory rooted in vocational knowledge, technical certifications, and hands-on experience.
From the outset, Laing displayed a consistent focus on understanding complex mechanical systems and applying that knowledge to real-world service environments. His early work gave him the opportunity to build core skills in diagnostics, system repair, and client-side problem-solving—competencies that would later prove valuable in high-pressure environments such as data centers.
Field Service Background at Cummins Inc.
One of the first major stops in Laing’s career was his role at Cummins Inc., a company known globally for its power solutions, engines, and generators. Cummins operates in a wide range of sectors, including automotive, marine, rail, and power generation, and employs a large field service team to support its distributed customer base.
At Cummins, Laing worked in Field Service Engineering, where he was tasked with maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing high-capacity generators and diesel engines used in critical operations. The job required constant travel, strong diagnostic capabilities, and the ability to work independently while delivering on client expectations.
Key responsibilities included:
- Performing preventive and corrective maintenance on power generation systems.
- Diagnosing faults in diesel engines, alternators, and control panels.
- Managing customer service relationships on-site.
- Preparing service reports and maintaining detailed repair documentation.
- Working under safety protocols in both industrial and remote environments.
Laing’s experience at Cummins helped him develop a practical understanding of operational continuity, equipment uptime, and safety compliance—all of which would later become relevant in the context of managing data centers.
Shift to Google Data Center Management
Following his tenure at Cummins, Laing made a significant career move into data center operations at Google. This transition represented both a functional shift—from mechanical field services to IT infrastructure—and a strategic evolution in his career.
At Google, Laing joined a global team responsible for maintaining the technical backbone of the company’s cloud services, search engine infrastructure, and enterprise platforms. Data centers are mission-critical environments, where uptime and redundancy are not optional but expected at six-nines availability (99.9999%). This shift not only challenged Laing to expand his technical expertise but also to adapt to a more digitally-oriented and systems-level approach to operations.
His role at the Google data center involved:
- Monitoring and maintaining HVAC, electrical, and fire suppression systems.
- Supporting server deployments, upgrades, and decommissions.
- Troubleshooting network and hardware issues.
- Collaborating with security, software, and engineering teams.
- Ensuring compliance with environmental and sustainability standards.
By drawing on his mechanical background, Laing was able to bridge the gap between physical infrastructure management and IT services. His transition also required rapid upskilling in software tools, workflow automation, and network fundamentals—an indication of his adaptability and professional growth.
Primary Duties and Skills
Laing’s day-to-day work in data center operations encompasses a combination of physical and digital tasks. The hybrid nature of the job means that both facilities engineering and server maintenance are part of the same workflow.
Key duties include:
1. Facilities Operations
Laing manages the mechanical and electrical systems that power data centers, such as:
- UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems.
- Backup generators.
- CRAC (Computer Room Air Conditioning) units.
- Fire detection and suppression systems.
- Water and chemical management for cooling.
These systems are monitored 24/7 and require consistent maintenance schedules to avoid service disruptions.
2. Server Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Laing is also involved in:
- Diagnosing server hardware failures.
- Replacing faulty parts like hard drives, memory modules, and processors.
- Documenting rack-level changes and keeping asset inventories updated.
- Working within strict operational protocols to avoid human error.
3. Compliance and Reporting
Compliance with operational standards—both internal (Google policies) and external (environmental, electrical, and cybersecurity regulations)—is critical. Laing ensures proper documentation, audit readiness, and alignment with sustainability goals.
4. Cross-Team Coordination
Coordination is essential in a hyperscale environment. Laing routinely interfaces with:
- Network engineers during server provisioning.
- Software teams for diagnostic feedback.
- Logistics for equipment delivery and handling.
He operates within tightly defined service-level agreements (SLAs), making precise communication and error tracking essential components of the role.
5. Training and Mentorship
As an experienced member of the data center team, Laing also participates in onboarding and mentoring junior technicians, sharing his hands-on insights from both the power generation and IT infrastructure sides of the business.
Obstacles in Data Center Management
Despite the structured nature of data center operations, Laing’s role is not without its challenges. Managing physical infrastructure at scale introduces a number of technical and organizational obstacles.
1. Downtime and Uptime Pressure
Downtime in any major data center carries financial and reputational risks. Laing must ensure all systems are proactively maintained and redundancy protocols are in place to prevent cascading failures. Rapid decision-making under stress is often required.
2. Hardware Failures
Even with the best equipment, component failures occur. When a server or power unit malfunctions, the diagnosis must be accurate, and the fix must be quick. Laing is trained to use both predictive analytics tools and manual inspection techniques.
3. Energy Efficiency Demands
As part of Google’s environmental goals, data centers must continually reduce their Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). This means balancing operational uptime with sustainability—a task that requires tight optimization of cooling systems, airflow, and server utilization.
4. Security Compliance
Data centers must comply with stringent security protocols. Laing must pass background checks, follow badge access procedures, and sometimes work on isolated air-gapped systems. Each task is logged and monitored, adding complexity to everyday operations.
5. Team Scaling and Training
Google’s expansion means Laing is often involved in onboarding new team members. Training technicians while managing a full workload requires strong organizational skills and the ability to standardize knowledge without oversimplifying technical realities.
The Prospects of Data Center Management
The data center industry continues to expand due to the global demand for cloud services, artificial intelligence processing, and digital storage. Professionals like Chase Laing, who have both mechanical and digital infrastructure experience, are increasingly valued in this space.
1. Growth Opportunities
Laing’s role positions him well for future opportunities in:
- Data Center Site Operations Leadership.
- Infrastructure Engineering.
- Environmental Efficiency Strategy.
- Technical Program Management.
Each of these pathways builds on his practical experience with hardware systems and strategic insight into large-scale IT infrastructure.
2. Technology Evolution
As technology evolves, so does the data center landscape. Edge computing, liquid cooling, and renewable-powered facilities are all reshaping the operational standards. Laing’s ability to adapt to new tools and methodologies ensures long-term relevance.
3. Certifications and Training
To remain competitive, Laing continues to develop his technical portfolio. Relevant certifications include:
- CompTIA Server+ and Network+
- Certified Data Centre Technician Professional (CDCTP)
- Google Data Center Technician training modules
- OSHA safety compliance certifications
Ongoing training not only improves his technical depth but also prepares him for transitions into roles that require systems thinking and long-term infrastructure planning.
4. Global Demand
With hyperscale data centers expanding across North America, Europe, and Asia, experienced technicians and operations specialists like Laing are in high demand. The possibility of relocation or remote coordination roles broadens the scope of his career.
Conclusion
Chase Laing’s career illustrates the growing intersection between traditional mechanical systems and modern digital infrastructure. Starting with field service at Cummins Inc., he built a foundation rooted in high-reliability systems maintenance, customer service, and safety. His transition to Google’s data center operations signaled a shift to an IT-centric environment where uptime, energy efficiency, and scalable infrastructure became daily concerns.
Laing brings a unique perspective to data center management, balancing physical hardware knowledge with emerging digital practices. His journey reflects not just a linear career path, but an evolving skill set that adapts to the changing demands of global infrastructure. As data centers continue to grow in complexity and importance, professionals like Laing will remain central to maintaining the systems that power much of the digital world.